Undeveloped vs Own Landing Page

Exactly. Why should you.

You could state on your custom page that you only take cash payments to avoid CC and bank fees, meet the buyer in person in a Starbucks and hand over the auth-code written in a napkin. That sounds ridiculous, and it is, but illustrates the fact that by using Undeveloped (or any other marketplace) you're making it easy and straightforward for your buyers to complete the purchase and get the domain fast. That's the whole point.

Not every buyer will do anything to own your domain. Casual buyers will shop around and select whatever is cheaper but also better in terms of transaction speed, security and customer support. Undeveloped delivers on all those fronts.

Not to mention Undeveloped offers payment plans, which are a game changer for some buyers.

At the end of the day you want to maximize your profit and # of transactions, not minimize the commission on individual sales.

Paying someone 9% just for a landing page, including no escrow or payment plan service beyond what you could set up yourself via escrow.com (and have the buyer pay for, which is not an option at UnDeveloped) is mind boggling. No brokerage service is included in that 9% - you negotiate your own sales - which makes, at 9%, UnDeveloped the most expensive escrow service on the planet.

Anyone who comes on here and justifies such a thing I’d love to add to my GlenGarry Glen Ross “hot leads” list.

Trust is big factor, if your own landing pages are working for you or you can create good ones that's a pretty decent option as well but quite a few people here are just on about dissing undeveloped. As explained in my other posts I will take 9% hit and more sales compared to 0% and no sales.

Most people like myself have no idea about landing pages and would want to save their time just by uploading names in bulk to Undeveloped and have them setup, I have only used them for few months and have closed a lot more deals compared to the pages I was using at Efty.

I use Undeveloped just because Reza is the most patient guy in the industry...just reading and replying every post Undeveloped related here at NamePros...yes you read it well...Every Post

xynames said:

Paying someone 9% just for a landing page, including no escrow or payment plan service beyond what you could set up yourself via escrow.com (and have the buyer pay for, which is not an option at UnDeveloped) is mind boggling. No brokerage service is included in that 9% - you negotiate your own sales - which makes, at 9%, UnDeveloped the most expensive escrow service on the planet.

Anyone who comes on here and justifies such a thing I’d love to add to my GlenGarry Glen Ross “hot leads” list.

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Escrow requires the buyer to perform KYC, and it can be annoying. Sure it's great for big sales, but for casual deals, it's cumbersome. Undeveloped, and others, make a big difference in getting the sale done without ever talking to the buyer.

The argument that "Undeveloped doesn't let you force buyers to pay the fee" doesn't add up. Just take whatever price you'd sell through Escrow (with the buyer paying the commission) and add Undeveloped's commission on top when listing with them.

And we are not even talking about the added benefit that some buyers will go to Undeveloped and browse the inventory there, which doesn't happen when you have your own landing.

Finally, when used as a pure escrow service (you bring the lead), the commission is 5%, not 9%, so you can't really say they are the most expensive escrow service on the planet.

It's great that there are options, like Undeveloped.com, offering innovations, making life easier (if you take advantage of their service). I agree that their fee is somewhat inflated, but they do offer certain value for money, run a professional shop and offer great customer support

It's also great that there is Epik, offering most of what Undeveloped.com does, most notably payment plans, all but commission free. Professional and friendly customer support to boot, too

And it's great that there is Efty, with an entirely different business model, charging a modest, fixed monthly fee, commission free,also offering certain value for money. Also innovative, professional and with great customer service

And last but not least, it's even better to have your own, equally professional looking and innovative landers. Or even better ones. If you can swing it

IMHO

One big advantage in my opinion is that you can edit and track everything in one location very easily, literally in a matter of seconds. This can help you a lot in terms of knowing what to drop and what not to when renewal time is coming up for absolutely free.

Domains - Wanted said:

It's great that there are options, like Undeveloped.com, offering innovations, making life easier (if you take advantage of their service). I agree that their fee is somewhat inflated, but they do offer certain value for money, run a professional shop and offer great customer support.

It's also great that there is Epik, offering most of what Undeveloped.com does, most notably payment plans, all but commission free. Professional and friendly custimer support, too.

And it's great that there is Efty, with an entirely different business model, charging a modest, fixed monthly fee, commission free,also offering certain value for money. Also innovative, professional and with great customer service.

And last but not least, it's even better to have your own, equally professional looking and innovative landers. Or even better ones. If you can swing it.

IMHO

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I would add also that there are some brandable marketplace with a crunchy 30% commission and people are happy with that...so you're perfectly right. Everyone can choose what fits best with their needs

legendarynames said:

And we are not even talking about the added benefit that some buyers will go to Undeveloped and browse the inventory there, which doesn't happen when you have your own landing.

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The traffic of people browsing domains at UnDeveloped - if you understand Calculus - is a limit approaching zero - meaning, about zilch.

I’ve had the same 1500 domains listed at Afternic Sedo DomainAgents UnDeveloped UniRegistry for the past year. I use my own landing pages.

Offers at Afternic Sedo DomainAgents - weekly sometimes daily - closed sales at these three - approximately weekly.

Offers at UniRegistry past year? About six - no closed sales.

Offers at UnDeveloped past year? Just one for under fifty bucks lol (and the same guy made a bid for 10x higher on Afternic later that day - shows you how much of a joke the offeror viewed UnDeveloped marketplace as being) (I accepted neither offer, it was a mid five figure domain). Closed sales at UnDeveloped?


If you’re going to say something, at least have it backed up by some kind of data.

In any case, if there is any “benefit” to listing your domains at UnDeveloped (I say, Nay!) you may list your domains everywhere including at UnDeveloped and still have your own landing pages.

I think @xynames makes the key argument here: whatever you do, make sure your landers are independent of any marketplace and you are free to list with multiple shops

Own landers meet that criterion best, of course. Efty landers, too, but I found them too constraining.

Reza, who's a great guy, but with altogether too much love for tax authorities managed to discourage me from looking into his platform, so I can't say how exclusive Undeveloped.com is...?

xynames said:

The traffic of people browsing domains at UnDeveloped - if you understand Calculus - is a limit approaching zero - meaning, about zilch.

I’ve had the same 1500 domains listed at Afternic Sedo DomainAgents UnDeveloped UniRegistry for the past year. I use my own landing pages.

Offers at Afternic Sedo DomainAgents - weekly sometimes daily - closed sales at these three - approximately weekly.

Offers at UniRegistry past year? About six - no closed sales.

Offers at UnDeveloped past year? Just one for under fifty bucks lol (and the same guy made a bid for 10x higher on Afternic later that day - shows you how much of a joke the offeror viewed UnDeveloped marketplace as being (I accepted neither offer, it was a mid five figure domain). Closed sales at UnDeveloped?

If you’re going to say something, at least have it backed up by some kind of data.

In any case, if there is any “benefit” (I say, Nay!) you may list your domains everywhere and still have your own landing pages.

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I would say that you are right about undeveloped traffic, but that's not important, the important stuff it's the trust, in my case european market. I can tell you that for an european buying it's easier to buy from a company that they can verify and which does not have bad reviews. Try to google godaddy, afternic, and the other big marketplaces for bad reviews and see what's the result. In Eu 90% of the buyers never heard about godddy, they just check if the company is genuine and use it. I could not do the same with my own landing pages, because nobody knows me and nobody can verify how genuine I am. Regarding escrow.com, I will not use them even if they will be free. Regarding undeveloped vs godaddy, two inquiries received in the same day, the one from undeveloped reached an agreement in 2 days and in the fourth I had the money in my account, the one with godaddy after 7 days is still in the 'verifying funds' status, and after everything is done, you pay 20% and wait another 20 days to cash out. We are not even talking about the general bad reviews about godaddy. So mostly, I need undeveloped for inquiring received directly to my domains, which they can assure escrow and fast payout, which they are doing. If they don't work for you, that doesn't mean that they don't work for anybody. Try to check undeveloped on google and try to google xynames and see the result, one is owned by epik, with close to 200 reviews on trustpilot and on other reviews sites, people talking about them on hundreds of sites. Xynames appears as one site with linkedin page and a couple of other forwards. So, if I would be a buyer, and knew about escrow.com bad reputation, which one do you think that I will choose? I know that you have good names, but I know that you could loose some leads by insisting to use your own, but it's your choice. PS: I know also that you have some old issues with undeveloped, but you should not export them on every thread on this forum.

While I do see contrary arguments, I think marketplaces like Undeveloped have much going for them in terms of trust with a middle party handling the payment and transfer of the domain name, and an established record of transfers and reviews. I find the 9% (less if you bring your own lead) very reasonable.

As others have said, end users have a fundamental mistrust of dealing with someone they don't know, Undeveloped (and other marketplaces) overcome this to some degree. Plus they offer aesthetically pleasing and effective landers.

Undeveloped are still relatively new to the business, so it is not surprising that Afternic and Sedo with huge networks produce more visibility (although they also have far more domains so more competition). I think Undeveloped are doing the right things and more and more views will come from end users browsing their marketplace.

I think that registrar marketeplaces (like Namecheap, Epik, Dynadot, Namesilo, etc.) , that have the advantage they can directly handle the transfer, will play an increasingly important role in domain sales (although you definitely have to do your own promotion to get people to notice the names there).

Anyway, I do see arguments both ways on this one. If you have a big enough operation that have a high quality website, particularly if you operate mainly via outbound, the arguments for your own site are stronger. For many in domain investing, I think the commissions charged by sites like Undeveloped are well worth it for the trust, visibility, ease of transfer, professional landers, savings in time, etc. that they offer.

Bob

xynames said:

Offers at UnDeveloped past year? Just one for under fifty bucks lol (and the same guy made a bid for 10x higher on Afternic later that day - shows you how much of a joke the offeror viewed UnDeveloped marketplace as being) (I accepted neither offer, it was a mid five figure domain). Closed sales at UnDeveloped?

.

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I edited the quote to make is shorter.

I just wanted to add some counter points I guess just to give a balanced outlook (Not to say that you're experience is less important).

I have about around 2500-3000 names.
I've tested some on Afternic (still do with bins),
I've tested with EFTY, still my portfolio site uses EFTY
I've tested Undeveloped also

Some points:
Just in the last 2 months, Through Undeveloped sold about 20k US worth of domains.. mind you about 3 weeks or so of that 2 months I forwarded all my names straight to afternic to test that out.. which they sold a couple in that time, but I still like to handle my own leads and negotiate, couldn't give it up..

Advantages with Undev:
- The landing page has the "Buyer Protection Program" which makes a lot buyers not familiar with domains feel more comfortable to go ahead

- The negotiation chat window within the Undev platform with "Accept, Reject, Revoke" options is absolutely great. It makes it look safe and professional.

- Once the negotiation is done, the simple "accept" button makes it very easy for the buyer to click and finish the deal

- Once the buyer pays Undev and you transfer the domain to Undev , they release the funds to you very quickly and they deal with the buyer's technical questions about the transfer and provide the needed help until the buyer has the domain in their respective account.

- If the buyer agrees to a deal but stops responding, they take the necessary time and call the client regularly to get the deal finalized

>>> Yes 9% is a bit steep, but for the quickness of their response time if there's an issue, safety, protection of buyer, protection of seller, installment option, great customer service they provide and getting your funds much quicker than Afternic or elsewhere makes it a VERY interesting venue.

Efty is great too, I still use and will continue to use it as my portfolio site and also have had great deals through that system too.. but for now, I'm finalizing the deals through Undev.

Side point, Afternic is great for passive sales also.

xynames said:

The traffic of people browsing domains at UnDeveloped - if you understand Calculus - is a limit approaching zero - meaning, about zilch.

I’ve had the same 1500 domains listed at Afternic Sedo DomainAgents UnDeveloped UniRegistry for the past year. I use my own landing pages.

Offers at Afternic Sedo DomainAgents - weekly sometimes daily - closed sales at these three - approximately weekly.

Offers at UniRegistry past year? About six - no closed sales.

Offers at UnDeveloped past year? Just one for under fifty bucks lol (and the same guy made a bid for 10x higher on Afternic later that day - shows you how much of a joke the offeror viewed UnDeveloped marketplace as being) (I accepted neither offer, it was a mid five figure domain). Closed sales at UnDeveloped?

If you’re going to say something, at least have it backed up by some kind of data.

In any case, if there is any “benefit” to listing your domains at UnDeveloped (I say, Nay!) you may list your domains everywhere including at UnDeveloped and still have your own landing pages.

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With respect, I disagree. I am of opinion that your comparison is flawed, we use undeveloped as a lander not as a market where we list and seek sales through partner distribution.

I think for a fair comparison you should perhaps park 10% or so of your portfolio as a test and park it with different platforms ranging from your own, efty, undeveloped, sedo, uni and afternic.

Almost everybody I know uses Undeveloped to give buyers an option to go through hassle free purchase, it is not platform on whose traffic we rely on, the names bring the traffic.

UmerK, you must compare Apples with Apples.

My comparison is of the Afternic Sedo DomainAgents Uniregistry UnDeveloped marketplaces.

The UnDeveloped marketplace is...well...UNDeveloped. The name says it all. You think they picked that name by accident? If I name my business "nothingsells.com" would that say something, or not?

This is hard data. SAME 1500 domains listed in all five marketplaces, offers and closed sales from Afternic Sedo DomainAgents: many...from Uniregistry: almost none...from UNDeveloped: nearly zero.


Whatever you are speculating on, with respect, is not based on hard data. Indeed, it is based on nothing at all until you have hard data.

xynames said:

UmerK, you must compare Apples with Apples.

My comparison is of the Afternic Sedo DomainAgents Uniregistry UnDeveloped marketplaces.

The UnDeveloped marketplace is...well...UNDeveloped. The name says it all. You think they picked that name by accident? If I name my business "nothingsells.com" would that say something, or not?

This is hard data. SAME 1500 domains listed in all five marketplaces, offers and closed sales from Afternic Sedo DomainAgents: many...from Uniregistry: almost none...from UNDeveloped: nearly zero.


Whatever you are speculating on, with respect, is not based on hard data. Indeed, it is based on nothing at all until you have hard data.

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I think people should personally test out the different platforms for themselves. I'm currently trying out efty, undeveloped, have them at the usual places, sedo, godaddy, afternic. It just might work better for some. See pokainc's post above:

"Just in the last 2 months, Through Undeveloped sold about 20k US worth of domains.. mind you about 3 weeks or so of that 2 months I forwarded all my names straight to afternic to test that out.. which they sold a couple in that time, but I still like to handle my own leads and negotiate, couldn't give it up.."

See the Reported Sales thread here, I'm seeing a lot of sales thru Undeveloped.

Aman Tibrewal said:

Why should I go for Undeveloped landing page (which attracts certain % commission) when I can set my own (HTML) landing page? Please suggest!

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I suggest you try them both out and more. Do your own html landing page, try Undeveloped out, try others. Find out what works for you. Some landing pages are better than others. Some inspire trust more than others. Some have a better checkout process. Some are very easy to setup, adjust, saves a lot of time. etc.

xynames said:

UmerK, you must compare Apples with Apples.

My comparison is of the Afternic Sedo DomainAgents Uniregistry UnDeveloped marketplaces.

The UnDeveloped marketplace is...well...UNDeveloped. The name says it all. You think they picked that name by accident? If I name my business "nothingsells.com" would that say something, or not?

This is hard data. SAME 1500 domains listed in all five marketplaces, offers and closed sales from Afternic Sedo DomainAgents: many...from Uniregistry: almost none...from UNDeveloped: nearly zero.


Whatever you are speculating on, with respect, is not based on hard data. Indeed, it is based on nothing at all until you have hard data.

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Hard data aside the key fact is Undeveloped creates a layer of trust, everybody's portfolio and the way of domaining is different.

I do outbounds and park my names so that anybody who reads an email and wants the name could make an offer or click buy now, I followed this process for quite a few months with names being parked with Efty, non-existent sales.

In November alone I have closed 10 or so geo deals by outbound ending with Undeveloped, as I said it does create a layer of trust. I don't have to convince buyers or go on tough explanations, I just tell them that I have name parked with Undeveloped, briefly explain what it is and blimey! People have closed transactions as soon as within 10 minutes of first email.

So for me 9% although a high percentage is better if it brings me sales. With Escrow I have to handle transfer myself, with Undeveloped I don't have anything to do at all, Undeveloped handles the buyer's side and the best part is once a transaction is done I am protected from chargebacks as well.

This was already discussed many times in many threads.

If Make Offer mode - then lander doesn't matter at all.

Look at it this way it's going to cost what to use escrow?? 4.5%??? What's the fee break down too??
For another 4.5% to use a faster payment setup

I dont think there percentage is that much of a difference

But why I would reccomend your own landers is to be in complete control of your leads. I use to reccomend undeveloped but I dont as much as they like to take over your leads and I'm not fond of it.

@xynames why hating so much on Undeveloped... lol.. the name makes perfect sense to me as the domains you're selling are not developed.. hence undeveloped... I mean.. of course you could see the flipside too haha

Jurgen Wolf said:

This was already discussed many times in many threads.

If Make Offer mode - then lander doesn't matter at all.

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Why wouldn't the lander matter if it's make offer.. if you feel that there is trust and the system is secure, then you feel comfortable making a higher offer as you know you're money won't be lost...

Also XYnames.. I have the data to back up what I'm saying...

Anyways... each person is entitled to their preference and might have had a different experiences, I just posted to help whomever it might've helped... I have nothing to gain from this...

What data? You've referenced nothing, just stating opinion.

The buyer is negotiating with seller... not with lander.

And per my experience - the highest negotiation results can be achieved not even from "Make Offer" forms but from the simple Contact Form where no any mentions that the domain is for sale and no any "Offer amount" field.